WF boss says backing of Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest will be valuable for survival
Western Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry says having the backing of billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest will be a valuable weapon as the club continues to fight for Super Rugby survival.
The West Australian franchise enjoyed one its most memorable evenings on Saturday by thrashing a hapless Waratahs outfit 40-11 at nib Stadium.
In what was a fitting send-off for captain Matt Hodgson, the night got even better when Forrest, a mining magnate worth an estimated $4.5 billion, told Force players the club had his full support.
"Be assured that surviving is not an issue, you will survive and you will win," Forrest told players in the post-match huddle.
Sinderberry is not entirely sure if that will be monetary support but nonetheless argued it was a significant boost for the club.
"He's standing shoulder-to-shoulder and behind the club to ensure that we continue to survive, so that will take whatever form is required," Sinderberry told Fairfax Media. "You'd like to think in terms of building a broader economic position for the club it's very valuable.
"It's reflective of how Western Australians feel about the club and the importance of the continued growth of rugby in Western Australia. Obviously Andrew is a very proud West Australian and committed to seeing West Australian teams given every opportunity to develop and succeed. He's always had an ongoing interest in the game."
The Force and Australian Rugby Union will go to arbitration on July 31 to sort out whether the code's governing body has the power to remove the franchise from Super Rugby.
Sinderberry, who will travel to Sydney for the arbitration, said a lot of the work on that front has already been taken care of.
He argued Saturday's turnout was further evidence as to why the ARU could not possibly remove the Force.
"The passion for the game; ultimately that's what is showing here," Sinderberry said. "We're really excited about the progress we're making at the Force.
"There were so many good things that were seen on Saturday night that have been building all year. It was a very good performance by a team that's on the improve and a coaching staff that have come together well.
"I'm just incredibly delighted for the coaching staff, what Dave Wessels has done and delighted for Matt Hodgson in terms of a stellar career."
A recurring comment in the wake of the Waratahs' terrible performance was that it should be NSW – not the Force or Rebels – that should be booted from the competition.
Last year, outgoing Waratahs chief executive Greg Harris irritated some in the west by suggesting the Force should be relocated to Sydney but still play a limited number of fixtures in Perth.
Sinderberry hit back immediately, saying Harris should simply worry about his own backyard.
Asked for his thoughts on Sunday regarding the overwhelming Waratahs backlash, Sinderberry said: "It's pretty unfair. We've also got to be mindful those people across the ditch are the real challenge for us and collectively we've all got to get better."
Sinderberry also revealed Hodgson would remain at the club in a coaching capacity.
"He's got a couple of specific areas he's going to start working on around coaching and being involved with that," Sinderberry said. "He's got a couple of months to get himself sorted out, then we can start to shape that future. We're very keen for him to be part of the club going forward."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...16-gxca00.html
Western Force future: Andrew Forrest tells ARU board his support is tied to WA club
Billionaire businessman Andrew Forrest has thrown his financial weight and influence behind a campaign to prevent Western Force being axed from the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
Mr Forrest, a club foundation member, gave a passionate on-field address to the players after the Force ended its Super Rugby season with a 29-point win over the Waratahs in Perth on Saturday night.
The ARU board is set to decide if the Force or the Melbourne Rebels will be cut from the competition.
Mr Forrest told the players the state was behind them and the club would survive its predicament.
"You've gotta recognise that the people of Western Australia are so proud of you — what you achieved tonight is not an aberration," he said.
"Surviving is not the issue. You will survive and you will win. Your state is totally behind you."
The Fortescue Metals chairman has issued a statement saying he "pledged his full support for the Western Force rugby team", and his love for the game was his only motivation.
In the statement, Mr Forrest "assured the Australian Rugby Union board that his ongoing support for rugby would be contingent upon it remaining a national, not an eastern states-only, sport".
He said he wanted the Force to know: "I, as a proud Western Australian, have their backs."
Western Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry said the club had been in dialogue with Mr Forrest.
"There's a range of activities that are going on at the moment and his support will ensure that we can continue, and be very aggressive in how we can continue, to pursue our case with the Australian Rugby Union to ensure Western Force remain here in WA," he said.
Mr Sinderberry said it was too early to be specific about what support Mr Forrest might provide, and while a financial commitment was a potential option, they "hadn't got to that discussion".
"It's impossible to quantify it or even say that it's necessary, but it's more important that Andrew is absolutely behind us," he said.
Forrest a long term supporter of rugby
Mr Forrest put money into the Force 15 Foundation when it was set up in 2007.
John Welborn, WA's first born-and-bred Wallaby player, said that had been a source of funds for development of the game in the state.
"Andrew's comments, significantly, are that this is a community game," he said.
"Rugby WA administers school boys' sport, they administer club sport and they administer the Western Force.
"Andrew's not buying the team — like all of us who love rugby in Western Australia, he's a keen supporter and I think it's fantastic that he's come out and said he's going to do everything he can ensure that Western Force both survive and thrive.
"Obviously, there's a financial imperative and there's an argument about how much the Western Force has already demonstrated in its ability to be financially independent."
Mr Welborn said logic, financial support and performance all had to play a role in the ARU's decision.
Comments 'warm' Minister's heart
WA Sports Minister Mick Murray was at the Western Force match, which he described as "a sensational moment".
Western Force are still up against it a little, but working very hard — as you may have seen with 'Twiggy' Forrest and the Government as well — working very hard to make sure they survive," he said.
Mr Murray said he saw Mr Forrest talking to the players after the game.
"That warmed my heart — he's a Western Australian of the Year, talking to people that are under the pump a bit about where they go in the future and saying that he's out there supporting them. I thought it was tremendous," he said.
"Western Australia seems to be a long way away from the other side of the world, which is Sydney and Melbourne, so if he was out there and waving the flag for Western Australia, I think this helps."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-1...y-team/8713284